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1243971

registered interest
date	15/10/2020
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Railways: South East
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending High Speed rail services from Ashford to Eastbourne; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Eastbourne
tabling member printed	Caroline Ansell
uin	104136
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2020 answer text <p>Ministers have approved the entry of the Kent and East Sussex Coastal Connectivity Scheme to formally enter the Government’s rail enhancements pipeline. The Department and East Sussex County Council are funding the production of a Strategic Outline Business Case, due early 2021. As well as exploring options to create a new link to High Speed 1, this programme is considering options for a range of upgrades to the Marshlink line between Ashford and Hastings.</p> answering member constituency Daventry answering member printed Chris Heaton-Harris question first answered 23/10/2020 12:36:37 answering member 3977 label Biography information for Chris Heaton-Harris
tabling member	4512 label Biography information for Caroline Ansell

1243972

registered interest
date	15/10/2020
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Railways: Coastal Areas
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential for economic regeneration of coastal communities through rail infrastructure investment; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Eastbourne
tabling member printed	Caroline Ansell
uin	104137
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2020 answer text <p>We have a £10.4bn budget for rail enhancements in Control Period 6 (2019-2024). £500m of this is available for Restoring Your Railway schemes, to start reopening lines and stations, reconnecting smaller communities, regenerating local economies and improving access to jobs, homes and education. All rail enhancement schemes are assessed on a case by case basis. In addition, Ministers have approved the entry of the Kent and East Sussex Coastal Connectivity Scheme to formally enter the Government’s rail enhancements pipeline.</p> answering member constituency Daventry answering member printed Chris Heaton-Harris question first answered 23/10/2020 13:32:28 answering member 3977 label Biography information for Chris Heaton-Harris
tabling member	4512 label Biography information for Caroline Ansell

1240152

registered interest
date	05/10/2020
answering body	Department for International Trade
answering dept id	202
answering dept short name	International Trade
answering dept sort name	International Trade
hansard heading	Arab States: Israel
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what discussions she has had with her (a) Emirati, (b) Bahraini and (c) Israeli counterparts on helping those countries expand their commercial ties following the normalisation agreement between those countries.
tabling member constituency	Eastbourne
tabling member printed	Caroline Ansell
uin	99063
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/10/2020 answer text <p>The United Kingdom has strong bilateral trading relationships in the Middle East. In the year ending March 2020, bilateral trade stood at £43.7 billion with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and £5.1 billion with Israel.</p><p> </p><p>The United Kingdom-Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement was one of the first agreements to be signed by my Department, and we are now exploring opportunities to deepen this further.</p><p> </p><p>In the Gulf, we have launched a Joint Trade and Investment Review with the GCC that will help broaden our trade relationships and realise opportunities in sectors such as education, healthcare, and food and drink.</p> answering member constituency North East Hampshire answering member printed Mr Ranil Jayawardena question first answered 12/10/2020 13:02:36 answering member 4498 label Biography information for Mr Ranil Jayawardena
tabling member	4512 label Biography information for Caroline Ansell

1237583

registered interest
date	24/09/2020
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Israel: Palestinians
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help secure peace between Israel and Palestine following the Israel-UAE and Israel-Bahrain peace agreements.
tabling member constituency	Eastbourne
tabling member printed	Caroline Ansell
uin	95155
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/10/2020 answer text <p>We warmly welcome the agreement between Israel, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. We welcome both the decision to normalise relations, as well as the suspension of plans for annexation - a move the UK has opposed as it would have been counterproductive to securing peace in the region. We profoundly hope that this moment can be used as a step towards direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians, as there can be no substitute in order to reach a two-state solution and a lasting peace. The Foreign Secretary visited Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories on 24-25 August and encouraged the leaders of Israel and the Palestinians to build on this momentum. We urge the Palestinian Authority to resume co-operation with Israel, which is in the interests of the Palestinian people. We also call on both parties to make constructive and open steps towards a return to dialogue.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly question first answered 02/10/2020 13:34:17 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	4512 label Biography information for Caroline Ansell

1237590

registered interest
date	24/09/2020
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Israel: Foreign Relations
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support steps to strengthen ties between Israel and its neighbours.
tabling member constituency	Eastbourne
tabling member printed	Caroline Ansell
uin	95156
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/10/2020 answer text <p>We warmly welcome the normalising of relations, and the strengthening of ties between Israel and its neighbours. We urge others across the region to follow the example of the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. During his visit to Israel on 24 August, the Foreign Secretary met Prime Minister Netanyahu, Alternate Prime Minister and Defence Minister Gantz, and Foreign Minister Ashkenazi. They discussed normalisation of relations in the region, alongside a range of other bilateral, regional, security issues. The changing regional context and converging Arab and Israeli interests presents an opening and the UK strongly supports such moves.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly question first answered 02/10/2020 13:35:29 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	4512 label Biography information for Caroline Ansell

1220591

registered interest
date	03/07/2020
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether English language schools are eligible for support through the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Eastbourne
tabling member printed	Caroline Ansell
uin	68736
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/07/2020 answer text <p>Businesses in England that would have been in receipt of the Expanded Retail Discount (which covers retail, hospitality and leisure) on 11 March with a rateable value of less than £51,000 will be eligible for the following cash grants per property via the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund (RHLGF). The Expanded Retail Discount scheme is targeted at properties that are wholly or mainly being used:</p><ul><li>as shops, restaurants, cafes, drinking establishments, cinemas and live music venues;</li></ul><ul><li>for assembly and leisure; or</li><li>as hotels, guest &amp; boarding premises and self-catering accommodation.</li></ul><p> </p><p>Guidance on the Expanded Retail Discount was published on 25 March 2020. Local authorities are responsible for implementing the discount in line with the guidance.</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/business-rates-retail-discount-guidance" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/business-rates-retail-discount-guidance</a></p><p> </p><p>Officials are keeping in close contact with local authorities to monitor the progress of the grant scheme and regarding the operation of the business rates system. Any enquiries on eligibility for, or provision of, the RHLGF should be directed to the relevant local authority.</p><p> </p><p>On 1 May, the Government announced that up to £617 million has been made available to local authorities in England to allow them to provide discretionary grants to support businesses based on local economic priorities and not directly tied to the business rate system. Clearly, this funding is under pressure and local authorities are to individually decide which businesses to support, within the eligibility criteria set by Government: <a href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fcoronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-business-support-grant-funding&amp;data=02%7C01%7CHazel.Rimmer%40communities.gov.uk%7C036b8e434b4b4987162608d821c8e1f6%7Cbf3468109c7d43dea87224a2ef3995a8%7C0%7C0%7C637296493947882517&amp;sdata=k4an7yGNKg4Avz9xwuxeS959DPtuHlaKj%2FXL190Y6nA%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-business-support-grant-funding</a></p><p> </p><p>ELT businesses and individuals within this sector continue to have access to a range of additional support measures including, but not limited to:</p><ul><li>Small business grant funding of £10,000 for all business in receipt of small business rate relief or rural rate relief</li><li>The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme</li><li>The Bounce Back Loan Scheme for small and micro enterprises</li><li>VAT deferral for up to 12 months</li><li>The Time To Pay scheme, through which businesses and self-employed individuals in financial distress, and with outstanding tax liabilities, can receive support with their tax affairs</li><li>Protection for commercial leaseholders against automatic forfeiture for non-payment until June 30, 2020 – with the option for the Government to extend if needed.</li></ul><p> </p><p>The Business Support website provides further information about how businesses can access the support that has been made available, who is eligible, and how to apply - <a href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fbusiness-coronavirus-support-finder&amp;data=02%7C01%7CLocalEconomiesContingencyTeam%40communities.gov.uk%7C1f87c98638a14adad3aa08d81c35a687%7Cbf3468109c7d43dea87224a2ef3995a8%7C0%7C0%7C637290364037909306&amp;sdata=IujgYU%2FDklMimkgdiQH%2B%2BJeUU%2BSeB%2FUAzzYiQViqHC0%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-finder</a>.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 13/07/2020 16:47:02 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
tabling member	4512 label Biography information for Caroline Ansell

1220593

registered interest
date	03/07/2020
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	English Language: Education
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether English Language Schools are eligible for business rate relief for the 2020-21 financial year; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Eastbourne
tabling member printed	Caroline Ansell
uin	68738
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2020 answer text <p>The Government has provided enhanced support through business rates relief to businesses occupying properties used for retail, hospitality and leisure given the direct and acute impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on those sectors.</p><p> </p><p>The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has published guidance for local authorities on eligible properties. As set out in the guidance, support is targeted at premises that are wholly or mainly being used as shops, restaurants, cafes, drinking establishments, cinemas and live music venues; for assembly and leisure; or as hotels, guest and boarding premises and self-catering accommodation. It is for local authorities to determine eligibility for reliefs, having regard to guidance issued by the Government.</p><p> </p><p>A range of further measures to support all businesses, including those not eligible for the business rates holiday, such as language schools, has also been made available.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 08/07/2020 15:12:39 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
tabling member	4512 label Biography information for Caroline Ansell

1220637

registered interest
date	03/07/2020
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	English Language: Education
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many local authorities have paid English Language Schools Business Rate Relief; what discussions he has had with representatives from local authorities that have not paid that relief, and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Eastbourne
tabling member printed	Caroline Ansell
uin	68739
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/07/2020 answer text <p>The Department does not hold information on the number of local authorities that have granted business rates relief in respect of particular types of properties.</p><p>The Department published guidance on the expanded retail discount on 25 March 2020. The guidance states that eligible properties are those used as shops, restaurants, cafes, drinking establishments, cinemas and live music venues; those used by visiting members of the public for assembly and leisure; or hotels, guest &amp; boarding premises and self-catering accommodation. It is for local authorities to decide whether properties, including English language schools, fall within these categories.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland answering member printed Mr Simon Clarke question first answered 13/07/2020 12:34:09 answering member 4655 label Biography information for Sir Simon Clarke
tabling member	4512 label Biography information for Caroline Ansell

1195385

registered interest
date	13/05/2020
answering body	Northern Ireland Office
answering dept id	21
answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
hansard heading	Health Services: Northern Ireland
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What support his Department is providing to the health service in Northern Ireland during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Eastbourne
tabling member printed	Caroline Ansell
uin	902579
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2020 answer text <p>The UK Government and Northern Ireland Executive are communicating at all levels, with the NI Health Minister regularly attending the Government’s health meetings. So far £1.2bn has been made available to the Executive to support the response to Covid-19.</p><p> </p><p>We will continue to support the Health Service in Northern Ireland in any way possible, such as the Government’s UK-wide drive to increase testing and PPE supply. As part of this, we have rolled out three test facilities in Northern Ireland - Belfast, Londonderry, and Craigavon - for the testing of frontline and key workers.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 13/05/2020 16:29:19 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
tabling member	4512 label Biography information for Caroline Ansell

1191774

registered interest
date	29/04/2020
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Business Rates: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether businesses not on the rates register but that pay rates through a landlord can access financial support through (a) the Small Business Grant Scheme or (b) other Government financial support schemes during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Eastbourne
tabling member printed	Caroline Ansell
uin	41555
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/05/2020 answer text <p>The Small Business Grant Fund and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund have been designed to support smaller businesses, as well as those sectors which have been hit hardest by the preventative lockdown measures due to Covid-19.</p><p /><p> </p><p>On 1 May, the Business Secretary announced that up to £617 million is being made available to local authorities as a discretionary fund for businesses outside the scope of the Small Business Grants Fund and Retail Hospitality and Leisure Grants Fund. This includes where small businesses occupy space and pay rent and rates through a landlord.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, we have monitored the performance of the business support schemes available, introducing necessary changes, including the recently announced Bounce Back Loans. Businesses can search for available support via the business support finder tool at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-finder" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-finder</a>.</p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 11/05/2020 16:54:08 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
tabling member	4512 label Biography information for Caroline Ansell